热源 (rè yuán) — heat source | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

heat source

Measure word · 个

Examples

热源。
Tài yáng shì dì qiú shàng zuì zhòng yào de zì rán rè yuán.
The sun is the most important natural heat source on Earth.
热源。
Zhè ge qǔ nuǎn qì néng tí gōng wěn dìng de rè yuán.
This heater can provide a stable heat source.
，热源。
Zài hán lěng de dōng tiān, wǒ men xū yào kě kào de rè yuán.
In the cold winter, we need a reliable heat source.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The idea of 热 'heat' describes what kind of 源 'source', giving a heat source.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

埶灬熱

Meaning part形符xíngfú

灬Written in full as火huǒfire

Sound part声符shēngfú

埶

埶yì熱rè

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

水水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

原

原yuán源yuán

Same sound today

源 combines 水 (water) and 原 (origin): 水 points to water, and 原 gives the sound.

Appears in

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.